Cone attachment device

ABSTRACT

A traffic cone attachment system may include a top disc positioned against an opening in a top of a traffic cone. The traffic cone attachment system may include a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction. A washer may be disposed around the shaft and positioned on an opposite side of the opening from the top disc. The traffic cone attachment system may include a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between the opening and the star lock. A traffic cone attachment device may be coupled to the traffic cone attachment system. A traffic cone system may include a plurality of traffic cones, each traffic cone of the plurality including a traffic cone attachment system and a traffic cone attachment device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/929,533, entitled CONEATTACHMENT DEVICE, which was filed on Nov. 1, 2019, and is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Traffic cones are often used to safely redirect pedestrian or vehicletraffic in work zones or emergency situations. Traffic cones aretraditionally constructed from materials that are designed to withstandadverse weather or traffic conditions. Traffic cones may be used forroad construction, traffic control, and the like. Traffic cones may alsobe used for other purposes such as sports and recreational uses.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

These and other limitations are overcome by embodiments of thedisclosure which relate to systems and methods for a traffic coneattachment system.

A traffic cone attachment system may include a top disc positionedagainst an opening in a top of a traffic cone. The traffic coneattachment system may include a shaft coupled to the top disc, the shaftspanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone and extending in avertical direction. The traffic cone attachment system may include awasher disposed around the shaft and positioned on an opposite side ofthe opening from the top disc. The traffic cone attachment system mayinclude a star lock disposed around a length of the shaft such that thewasher is interposed between the opening and the star lock.

A traffic cone attachment device may be coupled to the traffic coneattachment system. The traffic cone attachment device may include anemergency light, a lightbar, a floodlight, or a video or audio recordingdevice. A traffic cone system may include a plurality of traffic cones,each traffic cone of the plurality including a traffic cone attachmentsystem and a traffic cone attachment device.

In some embodiments, a top surface of the shaft may be level with a topplane of the opening in the top of the traffic cone. In these and otherembodiments, the top disc may be made of a magnetic material.Additionally or alternatively, the top disc may be patterned such that atraffic cone attachment device including a corresponding pattern may bemechanically coupled to the top surface of the top disc.

In some embodiments, the shaft may include a first portion of the shaftand a second portion of the shaft. The first portion of the shaft mayextend in a direction above the opening in the top of the traffic cone,and the second portion of the shaft may extend in a direction below theopening in the top of the traffic cone. In some embodiments, the firstportion of the shaft and/or a top surface of the first portion of theshaft may be made of a magnetic material. Additionally or alternatively,the top surface of the first portion of the shaft be patterned such thata traffic cone attachment device including a corresponding pattern maybe mechanically coupled to the top surface of the first portion of theshaft. In some embodiments, a lateral surface of the first portion ofthe shaft may be threaded or grooved, and a lateral surface of thesecond portion of the shaft may be threaded or grooved. In these andother embodiments, a traffic cone attachment device may be coupled tothe shaft by interfacing with the threaded or grooved lateral surface ofthe first portion of the shaft.

In some embodiments, the washer may include a binding feature protrudingfrom a surface of the washer toward the opening in the top of thetraffic cone. In some embodiments, the top disc may include a bindingfeature protruding from a surface of the top disc toward the opening inthe top of the traffic cone.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is appreciated that these drawings depict only some embodiments ofthe disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a cutaway view of an example embodiment of a traffic coneattachment system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of the example embodiment of the trafficcone attachment system illustrated in FIG. 1A in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a cutaway view of an example embodiment of the traffic coneattachment system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a top view of an example top washer as illustrated in FIG.1C;

FIG. 1E is a side view of an example shaft as illustrated in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the example embodiment of the traffic coneattachment system illustrated in FIG. 1A including a traffic coneattachment device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the example embodiment of the traffic coneattachment system illustrated in FIG. 1C including a traffic coneattachment device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of types of traffic cones consistent withthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate examples of traffic cone attachment systemsconsistent with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to traffic coneattachments, systems, and methods. A traffic cone may be made of athermoplastic, rubber, composite, or other flexible or semi-flexiblematerial. The traffic cone may include an opening at a top and/or abottom of the traffic cone such that the traffic cone encloses a volumedefined by the traffic cone and includes a vertical axis between theopening at the bottom of the traffic cone and the opening at the top ofthe traffic cone. The opening at the top of the traffic cone may have asmaller radius than the opening at the bottom of the traffic cone.

Depending on a purpose for which a given traffic cone may be used, itmay be desirable to place and/or attach an object to the top of thegiven traffic cone. For example, placing a sign on top of the giventraffic cone may provide information for people passing by the giventraffic cone. As another example, using traffic cones at night may bedifficult because the traffic cones become less visible, so attachinglight-emitting devices to the tops of the traffic cones may improvevisibility. However, placing and/or attaching an object to the top of atraffic cone may be difficult. The traffic cone may deform due to theweight of the object. Positioning of the object on top of the trafficcone may be difficult because of the open vertical axis between theopening at the top of the traffic cone and the opening at the bottom ofthe traffic cone. A lack of fastening for the object may cause theobject to be dislodged from the traffic cone by environmental factorssuch as weather conditions, vehicular impact to the traffic cone, etc.

Disclosed traffic cone attachment systems and/or methods may provide amore stable connection between an object and/or device and the top of atraffic cone. More particularly, the disclosed traffic cone attachmentsystem may include securing a shaft and/or a top disc through theopening at the top of the traffic cone. A traffic cone attachment devicemay be secured to the shaft and/or the top disc such that alignmentand/or positioning of the traffic cone attachment device may beenhanced. These and additional advantages are explained in more detailbelow.

The present disclosure is directed toward a traffic cone attachmentsystem. The principles of the present disclosure, however, are notlimited to traffic cones per se. It will be understood that, in light ofthe present disclosure, the traffic cone attachment disclosed herein canbe successfully used in connection with other types of devices.

Additionally, to assist in the description of the traffic coneattachment, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left areused to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated,however, that the present disclosure can be located in a variety ofdesired positions, including various angles, sideways and even upsidedown. A detailed description of the traffic cone attachment now follows.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the traffic cone attachment system100 may include a traffic cone 110 having an opening 115 at the top ofthe traffic cone 110, a screw 120, a top disc 130, a washer 140, a starlock 150, and a shaft 160. The top disc 130 may include an opening inthe center of the top disc 130. The top disc 130 may be positioned ontop of the traffic cone 110 such that the opening in the top disc 130 isaligned with the opening 115. From within the traffic cone 110, thewasher 140 may be positioned flush against the inside, top surface ofthe traffic cone 110, with the shaft 160 through the middle of thewasher 140 and/or the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110. An opening ofthe washer 140 may be aligned with the opening 115 of the traffic cone110 such that the shaft 160 may be placed through both the opening 115and the opening of the washer 140. Additionally or alternatively, theopening of the washer 140 may be aligned with the opening 115 of thetraffic cone 110 and the opening of the top disc 130 such that the shaft160 may extend through the middle of the washer 140, the opening 115,and/or the opening of the top disc 130. The screw 120 may pass throughthe opening 115, the top disc 130, and the traffic cone 110 and screwinto the shaft 160. In these and other embodiments, the screw 120 mayfixedly couple the screw 120, the top disc 130, and/or the shaft 160such that the screw 120, the top disc 130, and/or the shaft 160 mayfunctionally act as a single body. The star lock 150 may be disposedalong the shaft 160 and flush against the washer 140 to securepositioning of the washer 140 against the traffic cone 110. Additionallyor alternatively, the star lock 150 may generate a compressive forceagainst the washer 140 to facilitate the washer 140 remaining securelyagainst the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110.

An example traffic cone attachment system 100 may include the shaft 160being a component removable from the top disc 130 such that the shaftmay coupled with, extend through, or otherwise be associated with thetop disc 130. In these and other embodiments, when installing thetraffic cone attachment system 100, the shaft 160 may be insertedthrough the top disc 130, and the screw 120 may be threaded to couplethe top disc 130 and the shaft 160 to function as a single body. Theshaft 160 may then be inserted through the opening 115 of the trafficcone 110 such that the top disc 130 may be seated against a top surfaceof the traffic cone 110 on the outside, top surface. The washer 140 maythen be slid from within the traffic cone 110 along the shaft 160 andagainst the traffic cone 110 such that the washer is positioned belowthe opening 115 in an interior of the traffic cone and flush against theinside, top surface of the traffic cone 110. The star lock 150 may beslid along the shaft 160 to lock the washer 140 against the traffic cone110 in the interior of the traffic cone 110, generating a compressiveforce between the top disc 130 against the traffic cone 110 on anexterior of the traffic cone 110 and the washer 140 against the trafficcone 110 on an interior of the traffic cone 110. In these and otherembodiments, the example traffic cone attachment system 100 may includethe top disc 130 secured flush against the outside, top surface of thetraffic cone 110 proximate the opening 115 via the washer 140 positionedflush against the inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110 proximatethe opening 115, and the star lock 150 positioned flush against thewasher 140 in the interior of the traffic cone 110 to maintain thetraffic cone attachment system in place.

In some embodiments, the screw 120 may have a threaded body such thatsubstantially an entire length of the screw 120 may be a single threadsection. Additionally or alternatively, the screw 120 may be threadedalong part of the length of the screw such that the length of the screw120 includes a threaded section and a shank section. The screw 120 mayenter the top disc 130 from above the opening 115 and screw into theshaft 160 from the exterior of the traffic cone 110. Stated another way,a head of the screw 120 may be tapered such that the top surface of thehead of the screw is flush or approximately flush with the top surfaceof the top disc 130 when screwed into the top disc. In some embodiments,the top disc 130 and the shaft 160 may be assembled and connected by thescrew 120 before the shaft is positioned on the traffic cone 110 and/orthrough the opening 115. In these and other embodiments, the top disc130 and the shaft 160 connected by the screw 120 may be an assembly thatmay be installed on any given traffic cone including an opening such asthe traffic cone 110 including the opening 115. For example, the trafficcone attachment system 100 may be installed as an after-marketattachment to an existing cone or set of cones.

The top disc 130 may secure the shaft 160 such that securing the shaft160 reduces and/or prevents rotation and/or vertical movement of theshaft 160. In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may include a grippingmechanism such as the gripping mechanisms illustrated in FIG. 5B. Thegripping mechanism may prevent the assembly including the top disc 130and the shaft 160 from spinning when an attachment is being mounted ordismounted from the assembly. Additionally or alternatively, thegripping mechanism may provide a more secure connection of the trafficcone attachment system 100 to the traffic cone 110. In some embodiments,the opening of the top disc 130 may be sized such that a screw, such asthe screw 120, may be screwed through the top disc 130 and into theshaft 160. Additionally or alternatively, the opening of the top disc130 may be sized such that a shaft, such as the shaft 160, may extendthrough the top disc 130 and into the opening 115. In some embodiments,the opening of the top disc 130 may be circular or substantiallycircular. The opening of the given top disc may correspond to a shaftwith a substantially circular base that includes two square flanges atopposite ends of the circular base. Additionally or alternatively, ashape of the shaft may have a substantially polygonal base such that theshaft may be a rectangular prism, a hexagonal prism, an octagonal prism,etc. and a shape of the opening of the top disc may have a correspondingshape.

In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may not include an openingresulting in the top disc 130 having a flat or a substantially flat topsurface. In these and other embodiments, the top surface of the top disc130 may include an indented surface that may be a female component suchthat a male-component attachment device may be fitted into the indentedsurface. Additionally or alternatively, the top surface of the top disc130 may include a protruding surface that may be a male component suchthat a female-component attachment device may be fitted over theprotruding surface. In some embodiments, the top disc 130 may bemagnetic or made of a material or metal to which magnets are attracted.Additionally or alternatively, the top disc 130 may be made of amaterial such as an injection molded plastic, composite, or any otherstrong flexible or semi-flexible material.

The washer 140 may secure the screw and/or the shaft 160 extendingthrough the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 in place. Additionallyor alternatively, the washer 140 may distribute a load of the shaft 160and/or the screw 120, reduce vibrations experienced by the assembly,and/or prevent wearing down of parts of the assembly. Additionally oralternatively, the washer 140 may correct a size of the opening 115 tocreate a better fit for the screw 120 and/or the shaft 160. In someembodiments, the washer 140 may be sized such that the washer 140 fitsbelow an opening of a standard thirty six inch traffic cone on aninterior of the standard thirty six inch traffic cone. In these andother embodiments, the washer 140 may be sized such that the edge of thewasher 140 interfaces with an inner wall of the traffic cone 110 asshown in FIG. 1 when the washer 140 is positioned flush against theopening 115 of the traffic cone 110. While one example size of cone isprovided, it will be appreciated that any size cone is contemplated andthe size of the washer 140 and/or star lock 150 may be sized toaccommodate any of a variety of sizes and dimensions of cones, includingdifferent sizes of openings of the cones. In some embodiments, a kit ofthe traffic cone attachment system 100 may be provided with multiplesizes of the washer 140 such that cones of any size may be accommodated,such as six inch to thirty six inch cones, although any size cone and/oropening of the cone is contemplated.

In some circumstances, a surface of the opening 115 on the interior ofthe traffic cone 110 may not have a flat surface. For example, thesurface of the opening 115 on the interior of the traffic cone 110 mayhave a concave topography. The washer 140 may be a curved washer inwhich one or both sides of the washer 140 include a curved topography toimprove interfacing of the washer 140 against the surface of the opening115 on the interior of the traffic cone 110.

The star lock 150 may include an opening such that the screw 120, thewasher 140, and/or the shaft 160 may be secured in place by the starlock 150. The screw 120 and/or the shaft 160 may be secured in place bydisposing the star lock 150 around a length of the screw 120 and/or alength of the shaft 160. In some embodiments, the star lock 150 may bepositioned around the length of the screw 120 and/or the length of theshaft 160 below the washer 140 such that the washer 140 is disposedbetween the opening 115 of the traffic cone 110 and the star lock 150.By pressing the star lock 150 along the length of the shaft 160, thestar lock 150 may facilitate a compressive force against the cone 110proximate the opening 115 between the top disc 130 and the washer 140,effectively locking the traffic cone attachment system 100 in place atopthe traffic cone 110.

In some embodiments, the star lock 150 may have a circular outer edgeand flanges which are biased in one direction such that the star lock150 may be easier to put onto the shaft 160 than it is to remove fromthe shaft 160. In these and other embodiments, the flanges may bepositioned to face away from or toward the opening. For example, theflanges may be biased in a direction away from the top disc 130 suchthat the flanges are partially displaced when pushed in a firstdirection along the shaft 160 toward the top disc 130 but must bedisplaced further in a second direction to remove the star lock 150 fromthe shaft 160. Any number and/or style of flanges may be included in thestar lock, and any degree of bias of the flanges is contemplated withinthe present disclosure. While described as a star lock 150, it will beappreciated that the star lock 150 may be replaced with or include anytype of a retaining or locking washer, disc, ring, nut, etc.Additionally, the star 150 lock may be replaced by any other lockingmechanism, such as a rod through a hole in the shaft, etc.

The shaft 160 may provide a foundation upon which the top disc 130and/or an attachment may be mounted on the traffic cone 110. In someembodiment, the shaft may have threads or grooves to better lock thestar lock 150 into place. In these and other embodiments, the groovesmay include a series of discrete circumferential grooves such thatspinning of the star lock 150 within a given groove does not move thestar lock 150 along the length of the shaft 160. In some embodiments, ifthreaded, the star lock 150 may be replaced with a nut or other threadedlocking mechanism. In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may be withoutgrooves at all, or may include a single lip or groove, or a limitednumber of grooves. In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may includegrooves along the majority of or even the entire length. In these andother embodiments, the length of the shaft 160 may be slanted betweenthe grooves, such that pushing the star lock 150 along the shaft 160 hasa ratcheting or one-way locking mechanism such that it is easier to pushthe star lock 150 along the shaft 160 in one direction (e.g., toward thetraffic cone) and significantly harder the other way (e.g., away fromthe traffic cone). In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may be made ofmetal, plastic, or any other hard material sufficient to hold the washer140 against the traffic cone 110 via the star lock 150. In someembodiments, a top of the shaft 160 may be level with a top of theopening 115 of the traffic cone 110 when the shaft 160 is positioned inthe opening 115. In these and other embodiments, the top disc 130 may bepositioned on top of the shaft 160 and fixed in place by the screw 120.In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may taper towards the top disc 130and/or may broaden towards the top disc 130.

In some embodiments, the shaft 160 may include a curved surface at thebottom end of the shaft 160 (e.g., the end opposite the top disc 130) tofacilitate attachment of a magnetic light of other magnetic device tothe bottom of the shaft 160. For example, after installing the trafficcone attachment system 100 atop the traffic cone 110, a light with amagnet may be attached to the shaft via the attractive force between themagnet of the light and the shaft 160. The curved surface may facilitateretention of the connection between the magnet of the light and theshaft 160.

FIG. 1C illustrates another example of a traffic cone top attachmentsystem 100 c. The mounting system 100 c may include a variation in theshaft 160 such that the shaft 160 c may include an upper portion 161 anda lower portion 162. The upper portion 161 of the shaft 160 c may have alarger diameter than the lower portion 162 of the shaft 160. Forexample, the upper portion may extend circumferentially beyond theopening 115 of the traffic cone 110. Additionally or alternatively, theupper portion 161 may extend beyond an opening 137 (as illustrated inFIG. 1D) of a handled washer 135. Additionally or alternatively, theupper portion 161 may have a flat or a rounded end. The lower portion162 may be positioned in the opening 115 such that a top of the lowerportion 162 may be approximately level with the top of the opening 115when the shaft 160 c is positioned in the opening 115. The upper portion161 may protrude above the opening 115 and/or a handled washer 135. Inthese and other embodiments, the lower portion 162 may have threads orgrooves such that the lower portion 162 may facilitate locking the starlock 150 into place. In these and other embodiments, the upper portion161 may have threads or grooves such that a device may be positionedover and secured on and/or over the upper portion 161 of the shaft 160c. Additionally or alternatively, a top surface of the upper portion 161may include an indented surface or a protruding surface such that thedevice may be connected to the shaft 160 c by the indented surface orthe protruding surface as described in relation to the indented surfaceand protruding surface of the handled washer 135. In some embodiments,the handled washer 135 may operate in a similar manner as the top disc130 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. All or portions of the upper portion 161 and/orthe lower portion 162 of the shaft 160 c may be magnetic or made of amaterial or metal to which magnets are attracted.

In some embodiments, the top portion 161 may include key shafts 163(such as the key shafts 163 a and 163 b illustrated in FIG. 1E) whichmay extend down and through slots 139 (such as the slots 139 a and 139 billustrated in FIG. 1D) in the handled washer 135. For example, thelower portion 162 may be inserted through the handled washer 135 and thekey shafts 163 may be aligned with and inserted through the slots 139.An inside washer and/or star lock 150 may be pressed along the lowerportion 162 and against an inside, top surface of the traffic cone 110to create a compressive force between a bottom surface of the handledwasher 135 and the inside washer and/or the star lock 150. In these andother embodiments, after fixedly coupling the cone top attachment system100 c to the top of the traffic cone 110, the handle of the handledwasher 135 and/or the key shafts 163 interfacing with the slots 139 mayfacilitate the screwing on or off of attachment devices. For example,the handle of the handled washer 135 may be grasped in one hand whilethreading the attachment device onto the upper portion 161. Additionallyor alternatively, the interface between the key shafts 163 and the slots139 may keep the upper portion 161 in place (e.g., rotational fixed)relative to the handled washer 135 as the attachment device is threadedonto the upper portion 161.

In some embodiments, the handled washer 135 may be threaded such thatthe handled washer 135 may be rotated along the threads of the upperportion 161 to progress down and ultimately against the traffic cone 110while the star lock 150 may be pressed along the grooves of the lowerportion 162 to lock the upper portion 161 and the lower portion 162relative to the traffic cone 110. In some embodiments, the handle of thehandled washer 135 may be used to facilitate rotating the handled washer135 into place and/or the upper portion 161 of the shaft 160 c intoplace. In some embodiments, the handled washer 135 may be tightened mostof the way down, the star lock 150 may be pressed tightly into place,and then the handled washer 135 may be further tightened to lock thesystem 100 c into place.

FIG. 1D is a top view of the handled washer 135 as illustrated in FIG.1C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1D, the handled washer 135 mayinclude an opening 137 that includes one or more slots 139, such as theslots 139 a and 139 b. In some embodiments, the handle may follow asimilar angle or trajectory relative to a top surface of the handledwasher as that of the side of the traffic cone 110 relative to the topof the traffic cone 110.

FIG. 1E is a side view of the shaft 160 c as illustrated in FIG. 1C, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, the shaft 160 c may include the key shafts 163 a and163 b that are shaped and positioned to interface with the slots 139. Inthese and other embodiments, there may be the same number or a differentnumber of slots 139 and/or key shafts 163.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic conetop attachment systems 100/100 c without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, the designations of different elementsin the manner described is meant to help explain concepts describedherein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment systems100/100 c may include any number of other elements or may be implementedwithin other systems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 200 in which a traffic cone attachment device 280 is attached toa top disc 230 consistent with the present disclosure. As described inrelation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the traffic cone attachment system 200 mayinclude a traffic cone 210 having an opening 215, a screw 220, the topdisc 230, a washer 240, a star lock 250, and/or a shaft 260. In someembodiments, the traffic cone attachment system 200 may include a magnet270 positioned on top of a top surface of the top disc 230. The magnet270 may have a cubic, cylindrical, etc. geometry so that the magnet 270has at least two surfaces that are flat or substantially flat such as abottom magnetic surface and a top magnetic surface. The bottom magneticsurface may be flat or substantially flat such that the magnet 270 maybe positioned flush against the top surface of the top disc 230. The topmagnetic surface may be flat or substantially flat such that the trafficcone attachment device 280 may be positioned flush against the topmagnetic surface of the magnet 270. Additionally or alternatively, thetop disc 230 may operate as the magnet 270 and the magnet 270 may beremoved.

The traffic cone attachment device 280 may include any device which auser may want to attach to a traffic cone. For example, the traffic coneattachment device 280 may include a light-emitting device such as anemergency light, a lightbar, a floodlight, etc. As additional oralternative examples, the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be atraffic sign, a loudspeaker, an audio or video recording device (e.g., aGOPRO® camera), etc. The traffic cone attachment device 280 may includea bottom surface that may be magnetically coupled to the top surface ofthe magnet 270 and/or the top disc 230. In some embodiments, the trafficcone attachment device 280 may be secured on top of the traffic cone 210by positioning the traffic cone attachment device 280 on top of the topmagnetic surface of the magnet 270. Additionally or alternatively, thetraffic cone attachment device 280 may include a bottom magnetic surfacesuch that the traffic cone attachment device 280 may be positioneddirectly on the top surface of the top disc 230. In some embodiments,the traffic cone attachment device 280 may include a female portion witha magnet disposed therein that is sized to correspond to the top disc230 and/or the magnet 270 such that the magnetic forces may attach thetraffic cone attachment device 280 atop the traffic cone 210 while theedges of the female portion may prevent lateral movement of the trafficcone attachment device 280. In some embodiments, the magnet 270 may be acomponent of and/or otherwise associated with the traffic coneattachment device 280.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic coneattachment system 200 without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in themanner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein andis not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment system 200 mayinclude any number of other elements or may be implemented within othersystems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 300 in which a traffic cone attachment device 380 is attached toa shaft 360 consistent with the present disclosure. As described inrelation to FIG. 1C, the traffic cone attachment system 300 may includea traffic cone 310 having an opening 315, a threaded washer 335, a starlock 350, and a shaft 360, the shaft including a lower portion 362 andan upper portion 361. In some embodiments, the upper portion 361 and/orthe lower portion 362 of the shaft 360 may include threads and/orgrooves as described above in relation to the shaft 160 in FIG. 1C. Inthese and other embodiments, a traffic cone attachment device 380 mayinclude a lower connecting portion 380 a and an upper portion 380 b. Theupper portion 361 may include any of the devices as described abovecoupled to the lower connecting portion 380 a. The lower connectingportion 380 a may be attached to the traffic cone attachment system 300by placing the lower connecting portion 380 a over the upper portion 361of the shaft 360. In some embodiments, the lower connecting portion 380a may be coupled to the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360 by placingthe lower connecting portion 380 a over the threaded and/or groovedupper portion 360 b of the shaft 360. For example, the lower connectionportion 380 a may include a female threaded portion to interface withand the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360. Additionally oralternatively, the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360 and the lowerconnecting portion 380 a may be magnetic such that the lower connectingportion 380 a may be coupled to the upper portion 361 of the shaft 360by positioning the lower connecting portion 380 a flush against theupper portion 361 of the shaft 360.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic coneattachment system 300 without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in themanner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein andis not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment system 300 mayinclude any number of other elements or may be implemented within othersystems or contexts than those described.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of types of traffic cones 410 and 420consistent with the present disclosure. For example, the traffic coneattachment of the present disclosure may be shaped and sized such thatit may interface with a traffic cone 410 in the U.S. as well as atraffic cone 420 used in Europe. For example, the traffic cone 420includes a channel at the top of the traffic cone 420 which may preventother traffic cone attachment mechanisms from working, but the trafficcone attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may be compatiblewith such a traffic cone. The various components such as the top disc,washer, star lock, etc. may be sized to accommodate different cone sizessuch as the cones 410 and/or 420. While two example sizes and dimensionsare provided, it will be appreciated that any size and/or dimension arecontemplated for a cone or cone-like device with an opening at the topthereof.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate example embodiments of traffic cone attachmentsystems 500 a-d including examples of binding features. As illustratedin FIGS. 5A-5D, one or both of the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540may include a binding feature. The binding feature may enhance tractionbetween a traffic cone 510 and the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540.Such a binding feature may include a texture or protrusion that mayinterface with the traffic cone 510 to bind the top disc 530 and/or thewasher 540 more tightly to the traffic cone 510. As illustrated in FIGS.5A-5D, any combination of the top disc 530 and/or the washer 540 may ormay not include a binding feature and may include any variation of orthe same binding feature. In some embodiments, the binding feature mayinclude a series of spikes, barbs, hooks, bumps, tabs, or a combinationthereof. In these and other embodiments, the binding feature may includea rough texture.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 500 a in which a washer 540 is attached to a top of the trafficcone 510 from an interior of the traffic cone 510. An opening of thewasher 540 may align with an opening 515 of the traffic cone 510. Asecureness of an interface between the washer 540 and the traffic cone510 may be enhanced by including the binding feature at the interfacebetween the washer 540 and the traffic cone 510. For example, a givenbinding feature may be a series of spikes originating from the washer540 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tipsof the spikes interface with a surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 500 b in which the washer 540 is attached to the top of thetraffic cone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510 and a topdisc 530 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from an exteriorof the traffic cone 510. The opening of the washer 540 may align withthe opening 515 of the traffic cone 510, and an opening of the top disc530 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510 and theopening of the washer 540. For example, a given binding feature may be afirst series of spikes originating from the washer 540 and pointingtoward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the firstseries of spikes interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510. Thegiven binding feature may further include a second series of spikesoriginating from the top disc 530 and pointing toward the top of thetraffic cone 510 such that tips of the second series of spikes interfacewith the surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5C illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 500 c in which a washer 545 is attached to the top of the trafficcone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510. An opening of thewasher 545 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510. Forexample, a given binding feature may be a series of bumps originatingfrom the washer 545 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510such that the bumps interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510.

FIG. 5D illustrates an example embodiment of a traffic cone attachmentsystem 500 d in which the washer 540 is attached to the top of thetraffic cone 510 from the interior of the traffic cone 510 and a topdisc 535 is attached to the top of the traffic cone 510 from theexterior of the traffic cone 510. The opening of the washer 540 mayalign with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510, and an opening ofthe top disc 535 may align with the opening 515 of the traffic cone 510and the opening of the washer 540. For example, a given binding featuremay be a series of spikes originating from the washer 540 and pointingtoward the top of the traffic cone 510 such that tips of the spikesinterface with a surface of the traffic cone 510. The given bindingfeature may further include a series of bumps originating from the topdisc 530 and pointing toward the top of the traffic cone 510 such thatseries of bumps interface with the surface of the traffic cone 510.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the traffic coneattachment systems 500 a-d without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, the designations of different elementsin the manner described is meant to help explain concepts describedherein and is not limiting. Further, the traffic cone attachment systems500 a-d may include any number of other elements or may be implementedwithin other systems or contexts than those described.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art are also within the scope of this disclosure.

The various features illustrated in the drawings may be, but are notnecessarily, drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the presentdisclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus(e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealizedrepresentations that are employed to describe various embodiments of thedisclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may bearbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of thedrawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may notdepict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or alloperations of a particular method.

Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appendedclaims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as“open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as“including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpretedas “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as“includes, but is not limited to,” among others).

Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitationis explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” isused, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, orA, B, and C together, etc.

Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or morealternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including oneof the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, thephrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); thesame holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claimrecitations.

Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., arenot necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number ofelements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., areused to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers.Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.,connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood toconnote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms“first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements,these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number ofelements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a firstside and a second widget may be described as having a second side. Theuse of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may beto distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” ofthe first widget and not to connote that the second widget has twosides.

All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosureare intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understandingthe invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furtheringthe art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to suchspecifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, it should beunderstood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterationscould be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A traffic cone attachment system comprising: atop disc positioned against an opening in a top of a traffic cone; ashaft coupled to the top disc, the shaft spanning the opening in the topof the traffic cone and extending in a vertical direction; a washerpositioned on an opposite side of the opening in the top of the trafficcone from the top disc, the washer disposed around the shaft; and a starlock disposed around a length of the shaft such that the washer isinterposed between the opening in the top of the traffic cone and thestar lock.
 2. The traffic cone attachment system of claim 1, furthercomprising the traffic cone, the opening in the top of the traffic conepositioned below the top disc.
 3. The traffic cone attachment system ofclaim 1, further comprising a screw passing through the top disc andinto the shaft, the screw when fully engaged being flush with the topdisc.
 4. The traffic cone attachment system of claim 1, wherein theshaft comprises a first portion of the shaft and a second portion of theshaft, wherein: the first portion of the shaft extends in a directionabove the opening in the top of the traffic cone; and the second portionof the shaft extends in a direction below the opening in the top of thetraffic cone.
 5. The traffic cone attachment system of claim 1, whereinan outer surface of the shaft includes a plurality of discretecircumferential grooves.
 6. The traffic cone attachment system of claim1, wherein the washer includes a binding feature protruding from asurface of the washer toward a plane that includes the opening in thetop of the traffic cone.
 7. The traffic cone attachment system of claim1, wherein the top disc includes a binding feature protruding from asurface of the top disc toward a plane that includes the opening in thetop of the traffic cone.
 8. A traffic cone system, comprising: aplurality of traffic cones, each traffic cone of the plurality includinga traffic cone attachment system comprising: a top disc positioned abovean opening in a top of a traffic cone; a shaft coupled to the top disc,the shaft spanning the opening in the top of the traffic cone andextending in a vertical direction; a washer positioned on an oppositeside of the opening in the top of the traffic cone from the top disc,the washer disposed around the shaft; and a star lock disposed around alength of the shaft such that the washer is interposed between theopening in the top of the traffic cone and the star lock; and a trafficcone attachment device coupled to each traffic cone attachment system.9. The traffic cone system of claim 8, wherein the cone attachmentdevice includes an emergency light.
 10. The traffic cone system of claim8, wherein a top surface of the shaft is parallel with a top plane ofthe opening in the top of the traffic cone and the top disc is made of amagnetic material.
 11. The traffic cone system of claim 8, wherein theshaft comprises a first portion of the shaft and a second portion of theshaft, wherein: the first portion of the shaft extends in a directionabove the opening in the top of the traffic cone; and the second portionof the shaft extends in a direction below the opening in the top of thetraffic cone.
 12. The traffic cone system of claim 11, wherein an outersurface of the shaft includes a plurality of discrete circumferentialgrooves.
 13. The traffic cone system of claim 8, wherein a top surfaceof the shaft is patterned such that a cone attachment device including acorresponding pattern may be coupled to the top surface of the shaft.14. The traffic cone system of claim 8, wherein the washer includes abinding feature protruding from a surface of the washer toward theopening in the top of the traffic cone.
 15. The traffic cone system ofclaim 8, wherein the top disc includes a binding feature protruding froma surface of the top disc toward the opening in the top of the trafficcone.
 16. A method comprising: inserting a shaft through an opening of atraffic cone; threading a threaded component to interface with a toppart of the shaft; pressing a star lock over a bottom of the shaft untilthe star lock is against a surface of the traffic cone at the opening;and tightening the threaded component to lock the shaft relative to theopening of the traffic cone.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthreading a threaded component to interface with a top part of the shaftincludes inserting a screw through a top disc and then into the top partof the shaft to be threaded into the shaft, locking the top disc below ahead of the screw.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein after tighteningthe screw the head of the screw is flush with the top disc.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, wherein threading a threaded component to interfacewith a top part of the shaft includes threading a threaded washer alongthreads on an outside of the top part of the shaft, the top part of theshaft extending above the traffic cone after tightening the threadedcomponent.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein an outer surface of alower portion of the shaft includes a plurality of discretecircumferential grooves with which the star lock interfaces.